"Do you like my brother?" I dared to ask, as her gaze was that of an admirer sighing over her idol. Lottie blushed and hid a smile.
"I didn't know he was your brother, what a shame," she said, taking a sip of her juice."Don't worry, my brother doesn't have a girlfriend," I winked at her."Now that he's hanging out with the popular crowd, I doubt I stand a chance with him," she sighed.I laughed. "Lucas is an idiot, don't judge him just by his good looks. He's unbearable. If you want, I can help you with him.""Really? Why would you do that?" she asked curiously. Outside, it started raining as if the cold weather wasn't enough."Lottie, I like you even though I've only known you for less than a day. And, to be honest, you're my brother's type.""Who's my type?" Lucas approached the table, carrying his backpack as if he were about to leave."Where are you going?" I asked, sounding like an overprotective mother."The guys invited me to the forest. They said they're having a small gathering to welcome me," he informed, which gave me a bad feeling. I looked behind him at those guys with dark auras; I don't trust them because they're laughing and saying things about us. I know because they keep glancing at us."You're not going, Lucas, I don't trust those guys," I said firmly.Lucas laughed. "You're not my mother, Eva, stop talking to me like that. You embarrass me."The guys approached us. "Come on, Lucas, it's getting late," one of them said, dressed in black as if he were going to a funeral and with a piercing on his lower lip."Lucas, you're not going anywhere," I sounded ridiculous, I know, but when it comes to protecting mine, I can be very persistent.The other guys laughed. "Do you really let your little sister boss you around?" they mocked. "Come on, hurry up.""If bossing means protecting him from jerks like you, then yes, I do it.""Eva, enough already!" Lucas exclaimed, drawing the attention of the others to us. "You're not my mother, so leave me alone." With that said, Lucas left the cafeteria hastily followed by his group. The guy with the piercing gave me a killer look that sent shivers down my spine."Lottie, do you have any idea where they're going? I can't leave my brother alone with those idiots," I said.Lottie was about to speak, but a voice beat her to it."She doesn't, but I do," Kessler appeared behind me with that arrogant look and perfect smile that I would like to wipe off his face with one punch.I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "Why would you take me? They're your friends... just as unbearable as you are." I grabbed my backpack; amidst everything, even my hunger disappeared.Kessler smiled. "If you want to save your little brother from initiation, then you'll come with me."I frowned at what he said. "Initiation?""Yeah... you know, pranks we play on new students like you just to see if they're fit for this place," he explained with some boredom. "Are you coming or not? Because it's getting late, and I'm in a hurry.""Oh... Kessler, honey, are we leaving?" the blonde and plastic-looking girl stood by his side and took his arm as if to make me notice that this idiot is with her.Pair of idiots."Not this time, you stay here. I have something to do alone.""Kessler...""Penny..."Penny seemed to understand her boyfriend's hint, so she let go of his arm, gave me a killer look, and went to her friends. It made me laugh, but I didn't express it."Alright, but if this is also a trap, Lottie is witness to whatever you're going to do to me," I said. Now I turned to Lottie. "If I don't show up by tonight, please call the police."I could see a amused smile on Kessler's face, as if he found this amusing."Sure, Eva, be careful," she murmured, timidly. As if she were afraid of this idiot."Let's go," I demanded, walking out of the cafeteria."You're quite bossy," he said, joining me. "I think the last time someone talked to me in that tone, I was seven years old."I snorted. "And what do you want me to do? Cry? Kessler, you may be the king of the town and all, but I'm not afraid of you," I looked at him, standing in the parking lot. "I'm just making it clear. And if your friends do something really bad to my brother, then you'll face the consequences."He laughed. "You sound so determined," he narrowed his eyes, as if scrutinizing me, perhaps looking for a bit of fear in me.You won't find fear, Kessler."I like it," he whispered, taking me by surprise. "Come on, let's go in my car.""Sure, I don't have a car."We headed to his black jeep. Everything about it screams money; I wonder what his parents do to have so much and to pretend so much. I got in the passenger seat, and Kessler got in the driver's seat. I buckled up, and he started the car, leaving the school."Where exactly are we going?" I asked. The rain intensified, and I wondered how my brother and those guys are doing something in the forest in this rain. The forest looks even greener, and the road pavement is more slippery; everything seems like a scene from a twilight movie, of course, without the wolves and vampires."We're close," he replied, heading down a dirt road. I took out my phone and sent a message to Nala, my ex-high school classmate. "What are you doing?""I'm sending my location to Nala, a friend, in case something happens to me, they'll know where I am."Kessler snatched my phone before I could press the send button and turned it off. I opened my mouth in astonishment and anger."Give me my phone," I tried to snatch it, but he was faster and hid it in the pocket of his jacket."If you want it, you'll have to come get it," he sang. This is a game for Kessler, isn't it? He's enjoying making me angry. I unbuckled my seatbelt and leaned closer to him, trying to search his pocket for the phone."Watch that hand," he teased. I thought I might blush at that comment. I threw myself on him, trying to get the phone from his pocket. "Eva, I can't see the road," he said. Kessler stopped the car halfway and took my hands, making me look at him. His black eyes captivated me for a moment; I felt so hypnotized for a few seconds that I forgot about everything else.Our eye contact stirred something in my chest, something I couldn't explain because I had never felt it before. With his grip on my hands and his intense gaze, I couldn't think of anything else but Kessler."Let go of me," I straightened up, returning to my seat and adjusting my hair. It's obvious he noticed too, but I simply decided to ignore it. I don't like Kessler, I feel something dark within him that doesn't give me confidence. "Have we arrived yet?""Not yet, kitten, we're close.""Don't call me that," I reproached."Whatever you say, kitten."I closed my eyes for a few seconds because dealing with Kessler is like dealing with a wall. Kessler stopped near a huge tree."We have to go on foot from here," he says."But it's raining," I pointed out as if it weren't obvious."A little water won't hurt you."He got out, so I had no choice but to do the same. Luckily, it was just a drizzle and not too strong."Watch your step, this forest can be very treacherous."The grass and everything else was slippery; I used my bag as an umbrella."Why are we here? I'm starting to think Lucas isn't here and that you just brought me to distract me," I spoke. "Kessler!" The guy was blatantly ignoring
I got up abruptly, forgetting about my injured foot, which caused me to wince in pain."Be careful," he said, getting up as well."What's wrong with you?! Why do you come and kiss me like that out of nowhere?" I wiped the area with my hand.I could see a glimmer of sadness in Kessler's eyes, but he quickly brushed it off."Eva, don't exaggerate. It was just a kiss.""The first one. And how the hell did you know it was the first?"He shrugged."You look like someone who hasn't kissed before."What exasperation."No one believes that, Mr. Know-it-all. You better leave, Kessler, because you're stressing me out."Kessler made a swift move, his hands now on my waist."I told you I won't leave you alone, and it's still raining."I grabbed his hands and tried to remove them."Get your hands off me."Kessler stepped back."Tell me, Eva, what brings you here?" he asked, walking around the room as if he knew it perfectly."Don't you realize? My father is the new sheriff in town, he's here to in
As the evening passed and night fell, I felt even more worried because Lucas hadn't come home. It's all Kessler's fault; that guy will give me a lot of trouble. It was almost seven in the evening. Dad wasn't coming; I think he'll be late because of that boy's death. I'm anxious, uncomfortable, and desperate. I can't wait any longer. Limping, I left the house and crossed the garden to Kessler's house. I knocked on the door desperately and waited for someone to open it.Kessler appeared in my field of vision almost immediately."Eva? I thought something had happened. Why are you walking? You have a injured foot; you should be resting.""Lucas hasn't shown up," I entered his house without even asking for permission. "I need you to call one of your friends and make sure my brother is okay. Lucas isn't answering my calls.""Calm down, Eva, relax.""I can't! My brother is missing.""Eva, he's not missing. Your brother is fine.""Take me to him."God, I'm acting like a crazy mother. I can't
I stopped breathing for a few seconds, never taking my eyes off that huge animal. I feel like it's the end, that I'm going to die here and now, and that there's no one to protect me. If I run, the wolf will chase me; if I stay, it'll catch me. What should I do? I also don't have the good foot to run. The cell phone had no signal, and I'm sure that if I were to call someone, they wouldn't be here in time to defend me.I slowly backed away from the forest; the wolf was still there, looking at me untouched and with a thirst for human blood. Then the wolf advanced, and I froze in place as if not moving would serve any purpose. I was paralyzed. The wolf is black-haired, huge, and its eyes are as black as the night. It reminded me of Kessler. I felt a tear roll down my cheek; I knew it was my end. It hurts for my father, for Lucas; they'll be alone and feel the loss of another person.The wolf is in front of me, with no intention of attacking, just watching, analyzing me, and licking its ch
—Eva!" Lottie's voice startled me from my sleep. I woke up abruptly, not knowing what was happening or why this girl was making such a fuss outside my room."What's going on?" I wrapped myself in the blanket; I was very sleepy."Wake up, please.""Hmm," I looked at her, she was very agitated and seemed worried, so I knew something bad had happened."What happened?" I wanted to know, sitting up."Something happened last night," she murmured. A wave of fear washed over me as I imagined that something might have happened to Lucas."What? Don't scare me.""It's about... your father."I opened my eyes wide."What happened to my dad? Speak, Lottie!""Last night, he went to find your brother in the woods and was attacked by a wolf.""What?" I exclaimed, jumping out of bed and running downstairs. Lottie followed me. How could I not have realized this?"Wait! Your father is okay!"I looked at her."Your father was in the patrol car when the wolf attacked him. It seems your father shot and kill
I was thinking about what he said about his brother's death; he seemed sad. Besides, the death of what seemed like his sister, already deceased, so I put on my clothes and left the room. I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I wasn't very hungry, but I had to eat since I didn't have dinner yesterday either.My brother came down the stairs, went to the fridge, grabbed orange juice and a packet of cookies, and sat down to eat."What are you thinking about?" he asked me, looking a bit shocked about yesterday."Nothing, Eva, let me eat."Lucas stood up and left the kitchen. I started washing dishes and tidying up the kitchen because it was a mess. I grabbed my backpack and left the house. It was raining outside, so I took out my umbrella and walked slowly along the sidewalk. I couldn't get Kessler's words out of my mind. I wanted to stop thinking about it, so I hurried my pace until I reached the high school.Outside, Lottie was chatting with a guy. As soon as she saw me, she appr
Penny had me by the hair, pulling it. I grabbed her waist and threw her aside."Don't get in my way!" I yelled. It seemed like today was the day for fights. I punched her in the ribs, making her stagger, then someone's arms grabbed me by the waist and pulled me away from her."What are you doing, Eva?" It was Kessler.Penny got to her feet. She didn't like at all what she was seeing. Penny now looked like one of those wild wolves from the forest, disheveled and growling with anger."Don't touch her, Kessler.""What the hell is going on here?" The principal appeared in our line of sight. "First, two young people fight outside, and now you two in here. The four of you, to my office. Now."I grabbed my bag, broke free from Kessler's grip, and followed the principal to his office. I knew perfectly well that we would get a very boring lecture. All I wanted was to get out of here quickly."And you, miss," he looked at me, "Your father is the new sheriff of the town; you should set an exampl
When I woke up the next morning, I waited until late to get up. The good thing about the suspension is that I could sleep in and rest from the late nights I've had these past few days. Although they say lost sleep can't be recovered. When I looked at my phone, it was ten thirty in the morning."Quite late," I thought. I rubbed my eyes and went to the bathroom to take care of my morning routine; I took the opportunity to shower and get ready. I remembered that today Kessler had invited me out. I still don't understand why he did it. Isn't he supposed to be grieving? I feel sorry for him; surely he's one of those guys who hides his sadness deep down to avoid showing weakness.I went down to the kitchen. Everything was pretty quiet since neither Lucas nor my father were there. It's incredible that they also suspended Kessler since he's the mayor's son. I looked out the window; there were gray clouds in the sky, a sign that it would rain at some point. It was cold, but this time I liked f